BAND DIRECTORS
Richard Hicks
Director of Bands
Wind Ensemble
Richard Hicks is in his twelfth year as Director of Bands at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. At Lake Travis, Hicks oversees a thriving program of over 200 students with performance opportunities including marching band, four concert bands, jazz band, full orchestra, percussion ensembles, chamber ensembles, and colorguard. Mr. Hicks holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Music degree in Applied Music from the University of Houston.
Under the direction of Richard Hicks, the Lake Travis Wind Ensemble has been a consistent Texas UIL “Sweepstakes'' winner. The ensemble was selected as a TMEA 6A Honor Band Area finalist in 2022 and State finalist in 2024. The Lake Travis Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 78th Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December of 2024, and attended the Music For All National Concert Band Festival in 2016. The Lake Travis High School Marching Band advanced to the Texas UIL State Marching Contest in 2011, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The marching band was a Bands of America Super Regional Finalist in 2019 and 2022, as well as a Bands of America Regional Finalist in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023. The Lake Travis Brass Quintet performed at the 2022 UIL State Chamber Competition and attended the 2023 Fischoff Chamber Competition. This year, the Lake Travis Astraea Saxophone Quartet was a Bronze Medalist at the 2024 Fischoff Chamber Competition, Silver Medalist at the Coltman National Chamber Competition, and performed at the UIL State Chamber Competition.
Richard Hicks began his career in education in 2000 as Associate Band Director at Tomball High School in Houston, Texas, where he served as Director of the Symphonic Winds and marching band. Under his direction, Mr. Hicks established consistent UIL Sweepstakes for the Tomball non‐varsity band. In 2005, he joined the faculty at the University of Houston, serving as a graduate assistant for university bands. In that capacity, Mr. Hicks was Co‐Director of the symphonic band, concert band, and assisted in all aspects of running a university band program. He also served as Assistant Director of the Cougar Brass and the Spirit of Houston Marching Band.
From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Hicks served as Head Band Director at J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston. During his time at Dobie High School, Mr. Hicks functioned as lead coordinator for over 200 student‐musicians, as well as winter guard, jazz and marching bands. Additionally, he served as Co‐Director of the school’s full orchestra, as well as various musicals and activities within the Fine Arts department. Bands under Mr. Hicks’ direction have received numerous first division “Sweepstakes” ratings in marching and concert contests as well as “Best in Class” awards throughout the state and nation, including performances at the National Concert Band Festival in 2008 and 2011.
Mr. Hicks is a member of the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.
Ben Zein
Assistant Band Director
Wind Symphony & Jazz Band
Ben Zein is currently in his 4th year serving as an Assistant Band Director at Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas. His duties include leading the Cavalier Marching Band, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and the LTHS Full Orchestra. Previously, he worked at Jersey Village High School in Houston. Ensembles under Mr. Zein's direction are consistent UIL "Superior" winners. In 2023, he presented a clinic at TMEA with the Lake Travis Symphonic Band entitled "An Open Sub Non-Varsity Rehearsal with Richard Floyd."
A native Austinite, he holds degrees in Music Education and Government from The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, he performed with the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, studying oboe with Dr. Andrew Parker and conducting with Professor Jerry Junkin and Dr. Ryan Kelly. A devout supporter of all Longhorn Sports, he played piccolo in the Longhorn Band and was Section Leader for 2 years.
Mr. Zein's spark to become a music educator started with his band directors at McCallum High School, Carol Nelson and Matt Ehlers, who continue to teach and inspire the next generation.
Douglas Bell
Assistant Band Director
Symphonic Band & Concert Band
Douglas Bell is a graduate of the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University. He earned a B.M. in Music Education after completing his student teaching semester at Bixby High School located outside of Tulsa, OK. During his time at Oklahoma State, Mr. Bell performed with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Frontiers New Music Ensemble, The OSU Trombone Choir, and the Cowboy Marching Band. In the fall of 2021, he served as a Drum Major for the Cowboy Marching Band. In addition to ensembles, he was a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi, and he served as the president for OSU’s NAfME Chapter for the 2020-2021 school year. Mr. Bell studied trombone with Professor Paul Compton, and he studied conducting with Dr. Tyler Austin.
Outside of OSU, Mr. Bell served as a Drum Major for Cadets2 Drum and Bugle corps in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, he served as an Assistant Drum Major at Carolina Crown in 2019, and Head Drum Major in 2020 and 2021. Upon graduation, Mr. Bell started his career as an Assistant Band Director at Lake Dallas High School in Corinth, TX. He led the Symphonic Band and Concert Band, taught beginner trombone, and assisted with the Falcon Marching Band.
During his tenure at Lake Dallas, he helped lead ensembles to multiple Sweepstakes awards in Marching Band and Concert Band. In his free time, Mr. Bell enjoys cycling, perfecting his cup of coffee, and watching Formula 1. He loves spending time outside with his friends, and is very much looking forward to exploring the city of Austin.
Brittany Baptista
Director of Percussion
Brittany Baptista is currently in her third year as the Director of Percussion for Lake Travis ISD, where her mission is to help young musicians lead with empathy, cultivate a lifelong passion for music, and develop a love and curiosity for learning.
She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas, where she studied extensively under Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Ed Smith, and Christopher Deane. During her time at UNT, she was involved in classical and contemporary chamber ensembles, symphonic band and orchestra, Gamelan, and the 2 o'clock steel band.
Brittany has performed and presented as a clinician at various events and venues, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Meyerson Symphony Center, and the Summer Percussion Camp & Director Symposium at Texas A&M Commerce. She has also played in concert with various artists, including the Dallas Winds, Steve Smith, Tommy Igoe, Joel Rosenblatt, Gregg Bissonette, Lalo Davila, Ed Smith, Mark Ford, and Christopher Deane.
Texas-born and raised, Brittany is a proud alumni of Hebron High School and has taught all over the DFW metroplex, including Newman Smith High School, Boswell High School, and Frisco Liberty High School. She has previously served as a front ensemble technician at the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps and Vigilantes Indoor Percussion. She is a current staff member at the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps and Girls March.
Brittany is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Percussive Arts Society. She is a proud endorser of Vic Firth and Zildjian. When she isn’t teaching band, Brittany loves to read, rock climb, and spend time with her husband and dog.
Jordan Reddicks
Assistant Director of Percussion
Jordan Reddicks is the Assistant Director of Percussion for Lake Travis ISD. He is in his eighth year at Lake Travis ISD.
Mr. Reddicks received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Texas in 2016, where he studied with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane, Ed Soph, and Jose Aponte. Reddicks was an active member in Drum Corps International as a member of the 2009-2011 Oregon Crusaders, 2012 Boston Crusaders, and 2013-2014 Santa Clara Vanguard. At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Reddicks and the rest of the Santa Clara Vanguard percussion section were awarded the Fred Sanford High Percussion Award.
Michael Fairbrother
Color Guard Director
Michael Fairbrother, from Austin, Texas has been a dedicated colorguard educator for 17 years. As the colorguard director at Lake Travis High School and the owner of Hemisphere Designs, LLC, Michael brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his roles. Throughout his seven-year marching career, Michael was mentored by some of the most influential minds in the activity, which helped shape his expertise. Since then, Michael has had the privilege of sharing his knowledge with numerous performers and programs across Florida, Texas, and Michigan. His commitment to the art of color guard continues to inspire and elevate the performers he works with.